Vietnam sees France as one of its main tourism markets, said Minister Hoang Tuan Anh. Every year there are about 300,000 arrivals from France, which has been increasing by 5-6% annually.

Vietnam is targeting its marketing at French and other European tourists. The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is planning to build a centre to promote tourism advertisement in France.

Mr. Anh also said the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related organs to buy building No. 19 on Albert street, District No. 13, Paris, France to stimulate cultural exchanges and to hold meetings with Vietnamese overseas in France.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation took part in various activities in Venezuela and Brazil during celebrations of the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and these two countries.

Vietnam and Venezuela agreed to strengthen the exchange of information and the education of staff in culture, sports and tourism. Vietnam officially invited Venezuelan football teams and performers to join in activities to celebrate the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

Also on the occasion, the Vietnamese delegation signed a cooperation programme for 2010-2012 with the Venezuelan Ministries of Sports and Tourism.